“The Easter Commemoration is open to everyone who wants to remember and honour those who died for our freedom.”

“With the state’s sovereignty being sold to the EU/IMF, and the finest details of our budgetary and economic policies being dictated from Brussels, the vision and ideals of the men and women of 1916 have never been more relevant.”

“An Ireland based on the principles of the 1916 Proclamation – which proclaims “the right of the Irish people to the ownership of Ireland” and pledges to “cherish all the children of the nation equally” – would never have placed the interests of a tiny group of bankers and developers above those of the mass of the population.”

“The memory of that period can still inspire us today in the effort to build a new and genuine republic.”

Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has accused the Labour Party of a u-turn on the future of Cork airport after the government’s acceptance of the McCarthy report on the privatisation of state assets.

Cllr O’Leary said:

“Prior to both the 2009 local and 2011 general elections, Cllr Mick O’Connell, in his capacity as a board member of the Cork airport authority, asked all parties to sign a pledge that the airport would be kept debt free and handed over to an independent local airport authority. Along with other party leaders, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore signed it.”

“Now a government including Labour Ministers has accepted the McCarthy report and agreed to the sale of between €2 billion and €5 billion worth of state assets, including Cork airport.”

“The sale of Cork airport to a private company will not be good for the airport or the city. We saw in the case of Eircom that international investors are more interested in buying up our national assets cheap and selling them for a profit than in long-term investment. As a consequence of that previous privatisation, Ireland’s telecommunications infrastructure, which was once world standard, now lags behind that of other European countries.”

“I would like to hear Mick O’Connell’s response to this latest u-turn by his Labour colleagues.”

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A high-level delegation from Cuba will be in Cork tomorrow for a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion, which began on 17th April 1961.

The delegation will be led by Bay of Pigs survivor Col Victor Dreke Cruz and veteran Cuban broadcaster Reinaldo Taladrid, and will be accompanied by the Cuban ambassador to Ireland, Teresita Trujillo.

The delegation will be received by the Lord Mayor at City Hall at 3pm and will meet with the Sinn Féin council team. They will address a seminar being organised by the party at UCC on the Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs Invasion at 4pm.

At 7.30pm tomorrow night the delegation will address a public meeting at Connolly Hall being organised by the Cuban Solidarity Movement in Cork.

Jonathan O’Brien TD has called for the implementation of a new licensing and taxation regime for oil and gas exploration off our coasts, saying access to a fair share of these revenues by the state could help economic recovery.

Speaking in support of a Sinn Féin motion on the issue in Leinster House, Deputy O’Brien said:

“A report prepared for the Department of Energy estimates there could be 10 billion barrels of oil off Ireland’s coasts. We already know there are significant gas finds at the Corrib and Lough Allen fields. Yet as things stand, the benefits of exploiting these resources will go to multinational companies, not the Irish people.”

“Internationally, oil and gas companies pay an average of 68% of the value of the oil and gas reserves they exploit in taxes and royalties. Yet under the licensing system brought in by disgraced former minister Ray Burke, companies undertaking exploration in Ireland pay no royalties to the state and only limited taxes. A small group of politicians have effectively given away our natural resources to multi-nationals.”

“The Government, on behalf of citizens, should now move to acquire a majority state shareholding in our oil and gas. They should introduce an effective taxation and royalty regime that ensures that this state recoups at least 51% of the value of all oil and gas finds off our shores. This will help ensure we have the financial resources to manage the national debt, and regain our economic sovereignty by ending the involvement of the EU, IMF and ECB in our affairs.

“These proposals make sense and prove that there is a real alternative out there that does not involve slashing the pay of the poorest people or cutting public services.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien, speaking yesterday evening as the Communications Regulation Postal Services Bill 2010 was passed in the Dáil, said the bill was designed to liberalise postal services and could lead to the privatisation of significant sections of An Post.

Deputy O’Brien said:

“This bill was originally drafted by Fianna Fáil and is designed to liberalise the postal services. It could lead to the privatisation of significant sections of An Post.”

“The result would be the closure of many rural post offices and the loss of hundreds of jobs while private companies cherry pick the profitable sections of the postal services for themselves.”

“Yesterday evening we witnessed the shameful sight of the Labour Party lining up alongside both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to secure the passage of this Bill through the Dáil.”

“The Labour Party should be ashamed of themselves for facilitating the privatisation agenda.”

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson, Jonathan O’Brien TD, has said the government must introduce measures to improve consistency in sentencing as part of the forthcoming White Paper on Crime.

Deputy O’Brien was speaking after the Minister for Justice, in reply to a Parliamentary Question, said consultations on the paper had produced no consensus on the introduction of sentencing guidelines for the judiciary.

The Sinn Féin TD responded:

“If the public are to have confidence in the judiciary, there needs to be consistency and fairness in sentencing policy. In my own constituency of Cork North Central people have seen a convicted heroin dealer, caught in possession of drugs with a street value of €200,000, receive a six year suspended sentence while an individual who failed to pay his fishing licence was sent to Cork prison for almost a week.”

“While past governments have introduced mandatory minimum sentences for a number of serious crimes, in practice these have had limited impact on sentencing policy. Judges have widely used the provision for “extenuating circumstances” to hand down lesser sentences.”

“While I respect the constitutional independence of the judiciary, there are a number of steps the government should take to ensure greater consistency in sentencing.”

“Judges should be required to give detailed reasons for their sentencing decisions, especially in cases where there is a mandatory minimum sentence which they choose not to impose.”

“Members of the judiciary should take refresher courses in criminal law and current criminal justice policy after a number of years on the bench. At present, once judges are appointed they continue to exercise their office without any further training or oversight until retirement.”

“The new Irish Sentencing Information System (ISIS) database, which will gather information on sentences and court judgements, should be routinely referred to by sentencing judges to ensure consistency across the system.”

“There needs to be a greater emphasis on rehabilitation and non-custodial sanctions in the Criminal Justice system.”

“Sentencing policy is crying out for reform. It is in the judiciary’s own interests to meet that demand. In order to maintain public faith in the Criminal Justice System, the White Paper on Crime needs to include measures like those I have outlined.”

"The actions of the Lord Mayor in extending this invitation without informing the council and allowing its members an opportunity to object were disgraceful. As first citizen he is under an obligation to represent the city, not just his own personal views."

"A visit by the English Queen is premature and insensitive. Large numbers of people in Cork, and across Ireland, find it offensive. Sinn Féin will this evening be asking the council to dissociate itself from the Lord Mayor's invitation to her to visit Cork."

Deputy Jonathan O'Brien has expressed his deep sadness at the death of Cllr Dave McCarthy.

Deputy O'Brien said:

"It is with deep sadness and regret that I heard this morning of the death of Cllr Dave McCarthy."

"Dave and myself were colleagues representing the North West Ward throughout my eleven years on the council. He was an excellent public representative who will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him."

"I would like to offer my condolences to Dave's family at this difficult time."

Speaking on behalf of the Sinn Féin group on the City Council, group leader Cllr Chris O’Leary also expressed regret at the loss of Cllr McCarthy.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Savings from Use of Community Service Orders Should be Invested in Crime Prevention –O’Brien

Speaking in the Dáil today on the Criminal Justice Community Service Bill, Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Jonathan O’Brien said money saved through the use of alternatives to prison should be reinvested in crime prevention measures such as the juvenile diversion programme. Deputy O’Brien also said victim impact statements should be part of the process of deciding whether someone is suitable for a community service order.

He said: “Undoubtedly an increased use of community service orders would lead to savings in the overall scheme of things. “The Value for Money analysis of the community service order scheme, carried out by the Department of Justice and Law Reform in 2009, demonstrated that the use of community service in lieu of prison would produce significant savings.

“The cost per community service order is estimated at approx. €4,295 per offender while the alternative costs of imprisonment are estimated to amount to approx. €27,478 per offender. “The state should not see these savings as a means to an end but as an opportunity to reinvest in crime preventions measures such as the juvenile diversion programme as well as increasing funding to the probation service to deal with the added number of reports this bill will create.”

Deputy O’Brien continued: “Every crime has a victim and the effect that the crime committed has had on the victim should and must be a central consideration when a judge is leaning towards the imposition of a community service order rather than a prison sentence. “We need to consider the inclusion of victim impact statements as part of the process in determining whether someone is suitable for a community service order.”

Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent has said the closure of the Community Development Project in Farranree today (Friday) is a blow to the local area. He said: "The closure of the CDP will mean the loss of a range of services to the community, including home-work clubs, computer courses and assistance with CVs and job-seeking."

"The project has been central to the community in the area over the years and local residents I have spoken to were united in their disappointment that it has not been saved. It is regrettable that the new government has not reversed Fianna Fáil's policy of cutting community services. This is not just bad for communities like Farranree, it is a false economy. Tackling exclusion at its root is cheaper than dealing with its consequences later on."

“It is particularly ironic that a community facility like this should close because it is denied a relatively small amount of funding less than a week after a further €24 billion was pumped into our delinquent banks.” For further information or comment contact Mick Nugent @ 087-6755793.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has secured an adjournment of the Dáil at 5.30 today to discuss the future of the Orthopaedic Hospital.

Deputy O’Brien said:

“I have secured an adjournment of the Dáil at 5.30pm today so that I can question Minister O’Reilly directly on the floor of the Dail regarding the future of the Orthopaedic Hospital.”

“Specifically, I will be asking the Minister:

· When will the review to determine the future of the Orthopaedic be carried out?· Who will carry out the review?· What are the terms of reference?· Will those carrying out the review speak to workers at the hospital?

There is substantial concern that if the review process is dragged out, construction of the new operating theatres at the South Infirmary will have been completed and that this will pre-determine the outcome. Therefore I will also be requesting the minister to suspend work on the new operating theatres until the review has been completed.”

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Jonathan O’Brien and Energy and Natural Resources Spokesperson Martin Ferris have called on the Garda Ombudsman to begin an immediate investigation into a recorded conversation between Gardai involved in policing protests against the gas pipeline and refinery in north Mayo.

They were responding to a recording made on a camera confiscated by the Gardai from a protestor in which the Gardai are heard to joke about raping one of the women from whom the camera had been taken. They also speak about the manner in which they police the protests, making it clear their hostility to those involved.

Deputy O’Brien said: “It is extremely disturbing that members of the Gardai in whom women are expected to place their trust would speak in such a manner about raping persons who they are taking into custody. This is only the latest in a series of incidents in which the Gardai and members of private security companies have been shown to behave in an overly aggressive and hostile manner towards people engaged in legitimate protests. It is vital therefore that the Garda Ombudsman conduct an immediate investigation.”

Deputy Ferris said: “Apart from the appalling nature of this incident, there are huge questions surrounding the policing of the Corrib project. Not alone are there legitimate local concerns but it is also obscene that well over €20 million has been spent on Garda policing of the protests in recent years. We are at a time of unprecedented economic and financial crisis and yet this Government is presiding over the surrender of a natural resource potentially worth many billions of Euro. However, the current licensing and revenue terms mean that very little of that value will accrue to the Irish exchequer or people.”

Sinn Féin councillor Chris O'Leary begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting has said the City Manager needs to live up to the commitment he gave him some months ago to find alternative funding for the community warden scheme. Department of the Environment grants which had funded the scheme to date are due to run out in September.

Cllr O'Leary said:

"The community wardens play a critical role in communities around the city. As well as preventing littering and illegal dumping, their work includes revitalising residents associations, organising bonfire night events and summer schemes for children, and assisting community policing. Community wardens help build up communities and combat littering and anti-social behaviour."

"There were originally six community wardens - one in each ward of the city. One retired in 2008 and was not replaced. Funding for the remaining wardens is due to run out in September."

"I raised this issue with the City Manager in January and he gave me a commitment that he would find alternative funding for the wardens scheme in the council budget. I hope he will now act on this commitment and save this vital service."

Sinn Féin councillor Thomas Gould has said that greater urgency is needed in tackling the housing crisis in the city.

Cllr Gould was speaking after the latest figures showed 174 people joined the council’s housing list last month, while only 16 were allocated houses. The number of people waiting for housing in the city now stands at 8,500.

Cllr Gould said:

“Over ten times as many people joined the housing list in March as were allocated houses. These figures are plainly unsustainable. The council’s housing policy is not working and without a radical change of direction the list will only continue to lengthen.”

“The council needs to realise that there is a real problem and develop a sense of urgency in looking for solutions. With 300,000 vacant houses in the state, there is no excuse to have people waiting years to be housed.”

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Sinn Féin councillor for the Cork North West ward, Mick Nugent, has called on the council to publish the Knocknaheeney Masterplan without further delay.

Cllr Nugent said:

"The Knocknaheeney Masterplan was due to be published months ago. Residents in the area are anxious to see the nature of the council’s plans for redevelopment, and already in the weeks since my co-option I have had a number of constituents asking me why it has not been published.”

"While we wait for details of the next phase in the regeneration project, a significant number of houses in the area remain boarded up. Some of these have started to be used as illegal dumping grounds. None of this is good for the community.”

"The funding is there for the next phase of the regeneration to go ahead. It is now up to the council to publish the plans and begin a consultation with the residents about the area’s future.”

Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent has described the impending closure of the Community Development Programme in Farranree as a significant loss to the community.

Cllr Nugent said:

"The CDP is due to close on Friday when two FAS workers who had been providing services on a temporary basis are reassigned."

"While the crèche will continue to operate, a range of services, including home-work clubs, computer courses and assistance with CVs and job-seeking, will cease."

"It is disappointing that the new government has not reversed Fianna Fáil's policy of cutting community services. This is not just bad for communities like Farranree, it is a false economy. Tackling exclusion at its root is cheaper than dealing with its consequences later on."

Monday, April 4, 2011

Speaking following the announcement by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter that the government are planning to review the decision to build Thornton Hall prison, Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Jonathan O’Brien TD said the review was to be welcomed and that this presented an opportunity to take a new direction with prison policy.

Deputy O’Brien said:

“Fianna Fáil in government spent millions on a badly thought out idea. By December 2010 spending on the prison had reached €43.3 million, including the cost of purchasing additional land, surveys, landscaping, professional fees and security. When it came to this project the previous Minister for Justice,Dermot Ahern, threw money around like snuff at a wake. The decision to review the Thornton Hall plans is to be welcomed."

“I intend to contribute to this review and I urge Minister Shatter to use this opportunity to take a new direction with prison policy by acknowledging that creating a couple of hundred extra cells is not sufficient to tackle the prison crisis. What is really needed is a strategy to deal with increasing rates of imprisonment."

“There have been massive increases in prisoner numbers over the past few years. Justice policy must acknowledge the causal factors in these increases – poverty, embedded disadvantage, inequality and addiction – and address them accordingly. Sinn Féin is also calling on the Minister to improve prison conditions at the existing Mountjoy prison. The chronic over-crowding has created serious health and safety issues. Such overcrowding is dangerous and inhumane."

“I would urge the Minister, in the context of this review, to look at what works. Unless proper drug and rehabilitative supports in prisons are resourced, alongside educational facilities and other measures to address recidivism, we will simply be ignoring what actually needs to be done.”

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O'Brien has said the British queen is not welcome in Cork and the party will be organising protests if she visits.

Deputy O'Brien said:

"This visit is being presented as a signal that we are leaving the past behind us. But the British monarchy is all about the past. The queen is queen because her ancestors were monarchs before her. If she comes to Cork does she plan to apologise for the burning of the city under her grandfather, George V? Or the reign of the last monarch to visit Cork, Queen Victoria, during which a million Irish people died of famine?"

"The British monarchy is based on a set of values which I believe most Irish people do not share. It stands for hierarchy, deference and inequality. Elizabeth Windsor claims to be monarch of part of our country. The values she represents have no place in Ireland. This relic of feudalism should not be invited to our city to be feted and celebrated."

"The British monarchy is intrinsically linked with the British military. Most of the royal family command British regiments, and the queen herself has been commander in chief of the British armed forces for over sixty years. During this period the British army has fought colonial wars around the world, and carried out atrocities in Ireland, including Bloody Sunday and the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, for which the queen has never apologised."

"The queen should not be welcomed to Cork. Sinn Féin will be protesting against any visit and we invite the people of Cork to join us in showing Elizabeth Windsor she is not welcome."

Friday, April 1, 2011

Jonathan O' Brien TD has said the country cannot afford the latest bank bailout and has accused the government of sacrificing the interests of Irish citizens to those of the European financial system.

Deputy O'Brien said:

"Only weeks after being elected on the promise of change, the government has announced it is committing further billions to our zombie banks. The interests of Irish citizens are being sacrificed to those of foreign bondholders and the European financial system."

"This bailout is unsustainable. The country cannot afford it. At 5.8% the annual interest on just the €24 billion announced today will be €1.392 billion. The total commitment to the banks - €70 billion in bailout monies and €40 billion for NAMA – now amounts to 90% of the value of all the goods and services that will be produced by the Irish people this year, as measured by GNP."

"Our economy cannot bear these stratospheric costs. It is a recipe for economic stagnation, unemployment and emigration."

"Not a cent more should have been committed to the banks without senior bondholders taking a haircut. This was the position of the government parties during the election, but like many of their other promises, it has been quickly abandoned."

"Fine Gael and Labour are following the failed policies of Fianna Fail. This is the road to economic ruin. The money committed to the banks could have been used to stimulate the economy, building schools and hospitals, helping small businesses and creating jobs. Instead it will flow out of the country and into the pockets of international bondholders. The government must turn back from this disastrous course before it is too late."

For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O'Brien 085-2133907